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Lesson 2 - Passing into Space and Control

Tactical Skills Foundations

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Year 3

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Hockey

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45 min

Big Question

How can we use space cleverly to help our teammates and create scoring opportunities?

Learning Objectives

Control the hockey ball and send it into space where teammates can collect it safely
Work collaboratively to move the ball around using tactical awareness
Apply passing into space skills in a small-sided game situation

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate controlled ball passing into gaps and spaces
Students will show improved tactical awareness when moving the ball as a team
Students will apply spatial awareness skills in competitive game situations

Equipment & Resources Required

Hockey sticks

1 per student (30)

Check stick length is appropriate - should reach students' hip when standing upright

Alternative: Pool noodles or tennis rackets for beginners

Hockey balls

1 per pair + 6 spares

Balls should be regulation weight but softer versions acceptable for Year 3

Alternative: Tennis balls or bean bags for safety modification

Dish Cones

24 (for grids and goals)

Bright coloured cones for visibility, check for damage before use

Alternative: Throw-down spots or rope to mark areas

Small Goal

9 (3 per game area)

Goals should be approximately 1.5m wide for this age group

Alternative: Cone goals or marked areas on walls

Large Goals

3 (1 per game area)

Goals should be approximately 3m wide for adequate challenge

Alternative: Extended cone goals or marked wall areas

Bibs

15 (for team identification)

Different colours for each team in game situations

Alternative: Coloured bands or wristbands

Key Vocabulary

Passing into space

Hitting the ball to an empty area where a teammate can run to collect it

Adjacent

Next to or immediately beside something

Exploitation

Making good use of an opportunity or advantage

Weight of pass

The power and speed put into a pass to make it reach the right place at the right time

Tactical awareness

Understanding where to move and when to help your team

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic hockey stick grip and ball control
Simple passing between static partners
Understanding of basic invasion game principles

Current Skills

Passing into space rather than to feet
Reading the game to identify gaps and opportunities
Collaborative movement and tactical awareness

Next Steps

Advanced passing techniques under pressure
Complex tactical movements and overlaps
Creating space through dummy runs and decoy movements

Milestone Indicators

Students consistently look before passing

Passes regularly reach intended spaces

Teams show coordinated movement patterns

Key Teaching Points

Always look for space before receiving the ball - scanning is essential for good decision-making
Pass where your teammate is going, not where they currently are - anticipation is key to space exploitation
Move immediately after passing to create new options and maintain team fluidity
Communication through eye contact and voice calls helps coordinate team movements effectively
The weight of your pass must match the distance - control the power for accuracy
In games, numerical advantages only work if players spread out to use available space
Space awareness transfers to all invasion games - these skills apply beyond hockey

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: 'I should pass directly to my teammate's feet.' Correction: 'Pass into the space where they can run to collect the ball safely.'
Misconception: 'Faster passing is always better.' Correction: 'The right weight and timing matter more than speed.'
Misconception: 'I can only pass forward.' Correction: 'Sometimes passing backwards or sideways creates better space for the team.'
Misconception: 'I should hold onto the ball until I see a perfect pass.' Correction: 'Quick passing creates opportunities - keep the ball moving.'
Misconception: 'Space only exists near the goals.' Correction: 'Space exists all over the pitch and can be used tactically.'
Misconception: 'These skills only work in hockey.' Correction: 'Space awareness and passing into space work in football, netball, basketball, and many other sports.'

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries and expectations, offer leadership roles for engagement

dyspraxia

Use larger, lighter equipment, reduce complexity of movements initially, provide extra practice time for skill development

autism spectrum

Provide clear visual schedules of activities, offer quiet spaces if overwhelmed, use consistent routines and signals

visual impairment

Use bright coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of spatial layouts, use buddy system for guidance

hearing impairment

Use visual demonstrations and hand signals, provide written instructions, ensure clear sight lines for visual cues

physical disability

Adapt to seated play where appropriate, modify equipment size and weight, adjust court/area sizes for accessibility

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Technical vocabulary development, communication skills, following and giving instructions

Maths

Understanding adjacent squares, counting successful passes, measuring distances for different weighted passes

Science

Forces and motion in ball travel, physics of trajectory and weight, body movement and coordination

Geography

Spatial awareness, direction and orientation, mapping movement patterns across areas

PSHE

Teamwork and collaboration, resilience when facing challenges, fair play and sportsmanship

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move around the outside of activity areas to maintain full visibility, position near goal areas during games

Observation Focus

Watch for correct passing technique, spatial awareness development, and safe stick handling throughout

Intervention Points

Step in if students struggle with space identification, safety becomes compromised, or individuals become frustrated

Demonstration Notes

Use slow-motion demonstrations for complex skills, exaggerate movements for visibility, involve students in demonstrations when safe

Verbal Cues

•'Look for the gap!'
•'Pass where they're going!'
•'Head up, find space!'
•'Weight your pass!'
•'Move after you pass!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 20m clear space, adaptable to indoor hall or outdoor pitch

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from obstacles, check for holes or dangerous equipment

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all hockey sticks for damage, splinters, or loose parts
•Ensure balls are not over-inflated and are appropriate softness
•Verify cones have no sharp edges or cracks
•Check goals are stable and safely positioned

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Stick contact with other players
•Ball strikes to head or body
•Collisions during movement activities
•Slips and falls on wet surfaces

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established for all activities
•Adequate spacing between students and groups maintained
•Progressive skill building from static to dynamic activities
•Constant supervision and safety reminders
•Immediate stopping protocol if unsafe situations arise

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all activity areas
•Monitor high-activity zones during game situations
•Watch for fatigue affecting technique and safety
•Be ready to intervene quickly in competitive moments

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid/support, notify school procedures as required